Caterpillar Inc.

Other

Michael Thomas Jackson

William Norbert O'Neill

John Ferraz, Jr

Eleanor Wink Jackson

Lance Mathew Cowper

Robert Alan Jackson

Curtis John Caldwell

Benjamin Barbier

Ragavender Mailwar

Kenneth Alan Dust

Peter Hsien Huang

Raymond Bassili Gerges

This disclosure describes a modular hydraulic manifold for controlling an operation of a hydraulic actuator for an earthmoving machine. The manifold has a spool chamber and a load sensing passageway. The body also has a spool positioned axially within the spool chamber. The spool is spring-biased by an end cap. The module also has a pair of spool actuators that are located at a second end of the body and operable to axially displace the spool within the spool chamber. The pair of spool actuators are positioned in parallel and disposed adjacent to one another. The manifold also has an inlet chamber disposed parallel to the spool chamber and in selective fluid communication with the spool chamber via a spool supply passageway. The body includes openings on opposite sides that open directly to inlet and spool chambers of adjacent bodies to reduce passageway constriction within the hydraulic system.

Modular hydraulic manifold

A ladder motor pump system comprises a hydraulic fluid tank that holds hydraulic fluid, a hydraulic pump that draws and pressurizes the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid tank, a one-way electric motor that drives the hydraulic pump, a hydraulic ladder actuator that actuates a ladder in first and second patterns, a hydraulic fluid circuit that routes the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic ladder actuator to the hydraulic fluid tank, and a regulator that routes the pressurized hydraulic fluid from an outlet of the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic fluid tank when a pressure of the pressurized hydraulic fluid exceeds a preselected threshold pressure, mixing the pressurized hydraulic fluid with the unpressurized hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic fluid tank and reducing temperature of the pressurized hydraulic fluid. The electric motor and the pump include bosses providing increased ground connections to the electrical ground, thereby reducing electrical resistance and heat generated.

Ladder motor pump system

A mobile pipelayer machine includes a machine chassis having a forward end, a rear end, a first side, and a second side, and a boom extending from the first side of the machine chassis. The mobile pipelayer machine also includes a movable counterweight system extending from the second side of the machine chassis, the movable counterweight system being selectively movable to change a center of gravity of the machine in at least one of a forward or a rearward direction.

Counterweight system for lifting machines

A regeneration valve includes a housing defining a first port, a second port, a third port, and a chamber fluidly communicating with the first, second, and third ports. The chamber has a valve element movable between a first position, in which the second port fluidly communicates with the first port, and a second position, in which the second port fluidly communicates with the third port. A resilient member biases the valve element towards the first position. In operation, a flow restrictor element moves between the first port and the second port for restricting fluid flow from the second port to the first port. At a predetermined flow rate between the second port and the first port, if a supply pressure of fluid at the actuation chamber exceeds the bias of the resilient member, the valve element moves to the second position for fluidly communicating the second and third ports.

Regeneration valve for a hydraulic circuit

A control module for controlling an operation of a hydraulic actuator that is associated with an earthmoving machine includes a body. The body has a spool chamber and a load sensing passageway associated with the spool chamber. The body also has a spool positioned axially, and at least partially, within the spool chamber. The spool is spring-biased by an end cap located at a first end of the body. The body also has a pair of electrohydraulic spool actuators that are located at a second end of the body and operable to axially displace the spool within the spool chamber. The pair of spool actuators are positioned in parallel and disposed adjacent to one another. The body also has an inlet chamber disposed parallel to the spool chamber and in selective fluid communication with the spool chamber via a spool supply passageway.

Modular manifold having at least two control modules for controlling operation of at least two hydraulic actuators of an earthmoving machine

An electro-hydraulic arrangement for controlling operation of a pair of tilt actuators of an earthmoving machine includes a housing, and a directional control valve (DCV) and a regeneration valve (RV) disposed within the housing. The DCV and the RV are coupled in selective fluid communication with one another and with rod end and head end chambers of the actuators via ports defined on the housing. When the DCV is in a first or second operative position, the RV may be positioned in a regenerative position to allow the rod end chambers of respective ones of the first and second actuators to communicate fluid to the head end chamber of the second actuator. Optionally, the regeneration valve may be positioned in a drain position to allow the rod end chambers of respective ones of the first and second actuators to communicate fluid with a drain port of the housing.

Electro-hydraulic arrangement for an earthmoving machine

A hydraulic system and method of controlling such on a machine is disclosed. The hydraulic system may comprise a primary hydraulic circuit that includes a first load sense controlled pump, a secondary hydraulic circuit that includes a second load sense controlled pump, a flow sharing valve, and a load sense arrangement. The load sense arrangement may include a main resolver configured to select a higher pressure signal between the primary and secondary hydraulic circuits, and a load sense valve having an open position at which pressure signal flow between the primary hydraulic circuit and the main resolver is allowed, and a closed position at which pressure signal flow between the primary hydraulic circuit and the main resolver is blocked. In an embodiment, when the load sense valve is in the closed position, the second load sense controlled pump may be controlled only by the secondary hydraulic circuit.

Divided pump implement valve and system

A control system for a work implement of a machine having a frame is provided. The control system includes a fluid source configured to provide a supply of pressurized fluid and a pair of tilt cylinders in fluid communication with the fluid source. The tilt cylinders are configured to operatively tilt the work implement with respect to the frame of the machine. Each of the tilt cylinders has a rod end and a cap end between which a regenerative valve is disposed to selectively allow fluid communication between the rod end and the cap end of a corresponding tilt cylinder. The control system further includes a controller communicably coupled to each of the regenerative valves. The controller is configured to vary an amount of restriction in each regenerative valve to regulate an amount of fluid flowing between the rod end and the cap end of the corresponding tilt cylinder.

System and method for controlling a work implement of a machine

A control system for a work implement of a machine having a frame is provided. The control system includes a pair of lift cylinders operatively coupled to the work implement and configured to raise or lower the work implement with respect to the frame. Each of the lift cylinders has a rod end and a cap end. The control system includes a first cross-over line configured to fluidly communicate the rod ends to each other and a second cross-over line configured to fluidly communicate the cap ends to each other. The control system includes a cross-over valve disposed in one of the first and second cross-over lines and configured to regulate a flow of hydraulic fluid therethrough. The control system further includes a controller communicably coupled to the cross-over valve and configured to at least partially close the cross-over valve during a dump cycle of the work implement.

System and method for controlling a machine implement

A hydraulic winch assembly uses a control algorithm that separates brake control from drum rotation to permit fine control of load position. Actuation of an operator interface to a first position displacement threshold will release a drum brake but will not activate a hydraulic pump for operating a hydraulic motor coupled to the drum until the operator interface is moved to a second position displacement threshold. During the operating condition when the brake is released but the pump is not operating, the force of a load applied to a cable coupled to the drum may cause the cable to slowly unwind from and rotate the drum, thereby permitting fine control of drum rotation. Additionally, when the pump is activated upon further movement of the operator interface, a speed of the motor may be modulated, such as by a gear ratio command, to permit precise control over lower drum speeds.

Hydraulic winch control system and method

Eyewear includes a left temple and a right temple. Each of the temples has a cavity sized to receive an audio device such as a BlueTooth transceiver configured to communicate wirelessly with a remote device like a cell phone or a digital sound device. The BlueTooth transceiver may be placed in the cavity of either temple with the other temple cavity covered with a cover plate. An earphone may be connected to the BlueTooth transceiver through a receptacle. The earphone delivers the audible sound to the user's ear. The receptacle of the BlueTooth transceiver to which the earphone connects is also configured to receive the connector from a charger to charge a rechargeable battery in the BlueTooth transceiver. The eyewear may also be configured with cover plates over the cavity in both of the temples or with an audio device in both cavities to provide audible signals to both ears of the user.

Eyewear with removable audio system

An eyewear device includes a frame having two elongate extensions rotatably attached to the frame and movable between a deployed position and a stored position. The frame has two lens receiving portions with multiple lens units insertable in the lens receiving portion some through the front surface and some through the rear surface. The lens units have different eye glass lenses held therein. The elongate extensions include at least one head grip that is movable between two positions in which the head grip extends away from the stem, extensions, ears or temples different distances. A retainer is provided to hold the eyewear to the head; and a leash is provided to secure the eyewear to the clothing. The lens receiving portions have ridges that are configured to interact with grooves in the lens units to hold them in the frame. including a peripheral encasing. The lens units may have a nose piece with a nose pad configured to be removable and to adjust the distance of the nose pad from a support surface.

Growing community of inventors

Hanna City, IL, United States of America

Michael Thomas Jackson